ADR questions value of energy saving bulbs

Luxembourg's Alternative Democratic Reform-party (ADR) has questioned the use of energy saving light bulbs, saying that studies show them to be hazardous to health as well as difficult to recycle due to their quicksilver content.

28.11.2012

(CS) Luxembourg's Alternative Democratic Reform-party (ADR) has questioned the use of energy saving light bulbs, saying that studies show them to be hazardous to health as well as difficult to recycle due to their quicksilver content.

In a parliamentary question to Luxembourg's Health Minister Mars Di Bartolomeo, the ADR also voices criticism that the public is not well enough informed about the risks of these bulbs, and calls into question the lobbying work by environmental groups in this matter.

Shops in Luxembourg will soon be unable to sell regular light bulbs. While they are allowed to sell remaining stock, the bulbs will eventually disappear from store shelves under an EU directive.

Minister Di Bartolomeo pointed out that Luxembourg abstained from voting on this directive, taking a neutral position.

Indeed, studies have shown that energy consumption in homes varied little over the past three years, and had more to do with other factors such as the weather. Additionally, while some measures such as energy saving light bulbs may reduce energy consumption, the growth in demand for home technology such as air conditioning units causes an increase, according to Di Bartolomeo. The minister also said that there were other options to replace regular light bulbs such as halogen bulbs or LED lights.

However, the health minister said that the risk connected to energy light bulbs was quite low. Even if a light bulb breaks in a home there is no substantial danger if households take the right measures. These include:

Airing the room and leaving the room for at least 15 minutes.

Wearing rubber gloves when cleaning up the pieces and avoiding direct contact.

Not vacuum cleaning, but instead using sticky tape to collect the pieces.

Disposing of the broken bulb outside the home.

While quicksilver levels vary depending on the make of the energy saving bulbs, they should not pose any serious health risks, as the exposure to quicksilver in case of breakage is very short.

The minister did underline the importance of disposing of energy saving bulbs through the “SuperdrecksKëscht” or at a local recycling centre, as they are classified as hazardous waste and are taken to a processing plant for proper disposal.